Art & Fear explores the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. This is a book about what it feels like to sit in your studio or classroom, at your wheel or keyboard, easel or camera, trying to do the work you need to do. It is about committing your future to your own hands, placing free will above predestination, choice above chance. It is about finding your own work.

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!

By
zozobraswife
on
05-10-12

The Creative Habit

Learn It and Use It for Life

By:
Twyla Tharp

Narrated by:
Lauren Fortgang

Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
424

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
379

Story

4 out of 5 stars
379

All it takes to make creativity a part of your life is the willingness to make it a habit. It is the product of preparation and effort, and is within reach of everyone. Whether you are a painter, musician, businessperson, or simply an individual yearning to put your creativity to use,
The Creative Habit provides you with 32 practical exercises based on the lessons Twyla Tharp has learned in her remarkable 35-year career.

5 out of 5 stars

A much-needed shout-out to good habits

By
cvstuart
on
03-27-13

When Things Fall Apart

Heart Advice for Difficult Times

By:
Pema Chödrön

Narrated by:
Cassandra Campbell

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Unabridged

Overall

5 out of 5 stars
278

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
244

Story

5 out of 5 stars
242

Pema Chödrön's perennially best-selling classic on overcoming life's difficulties cuts to the heart of spirituality and personal growth, and makes for a perfect addition to one's spiritual library. Drawing from traditional Buddhist wisdom, she offers life-changing tools for transforming suffering and negative patterns into habitual ease and boundless joy.

Are you too nice? If you find it hard to be assertive, directly ask for what you want, or say "no" to others, then you just might be suffering from too much niceness. In this controversial book, world-renowned confidence expert, Dr. Aziz Gazipura, takes an incisive look at the concept of nice. Through his typical style, Dr. Aziz uses engaging stories, humor, and disarming vulnerability to cut through the nice conditioning and liberate the most bold, expressive, authentic version of you.

5 out of 5 stars

Better than excellent!

By
Le Magicien.
on
04-02-18

Respect for Acting, 2nd Edition

By:
Uta Hagen,
Haskel Frankel

Narrated by:
Angele Masters

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
138

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
122

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
121

For many years, she was asked to write a book. Finally she did, and here it is: an account of her own struggle with the techniques of acting and based on her teachings.
Respect for Acting is a book for people who respect (or wish they could) the theater on both sides of the footlights, for actors and audiences who favor truth in a creative process.

5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating, even for non actors like myself

By
Jason Comely
on
11-13-12

The Actor's Life

A Survival Guide

By:
Jenna Fischer

Narrated by:
Jenna Fischer,
Rainn Wilson

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
324

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
294

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
294

Jenna Fischer's Hollywood journey began at the age of 22 when she moved to Los Angeles from her hometown of St. Louis. She was determined, confident, and ready to work hard. So, what could go wrong? Uh, basically everything. The path to being a professional actor was so much more vast and competitive than she’d imagined. It would be eight long years before she landed her iconic role on The Office, nearly a decade of frustration, rejection, and doubt. If only she’d had a handbook for the aspiring actor. Or, better yet, someone to show her the way. Jenna wants to be that person for you.

5 out of 5 stars

OMG THE INTRO! lol

By
Katelyn
on
12-22-17

Art & Fear

Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking

By:
David Bayles,
Ted Orland

Narrated by:
Arthur Morey

Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
932

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
801

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
783

Art & Fear explores the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. This is a book about what it feels like to sit in your studio or classroom, at your wheel or keyboard, easel or camera, trying to do the work you need to do. It is about committing your future to your own hands, placing free will above predestination, choice above chance. It is about finding your own work.

5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!

By
zozobraswife
on
05-10-12

The Creative Habit

Learn It and Use It for Life

By:
Twyla Tharp

Narrated by:
Lauren Fortgang

Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
424

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
379

Story

4 out of 5 stars
379

All it takes to make creativity a part of your life is the willingness to make it a habit. It is the product of preparation and effort, and is within reach of everyone. Whether you are a painter, musician, businessperson, or simply an individual yearning to put your creativity to use,
The Creative Habit provides you with 32 practical exercises based on the lessons Twyla Tharp has learned in her remarkable 35-year career.

5 out of 5 stars

A much-needed shout-out to good habits

By
cvstuart
on
03-27-13

When Things Fall Apart

Heart Advice for Difficult Times

By:
Pema Chödrön

Narrated by:
Cassandra Campbell

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Unabridged

Overall

5 out of 5 stars
278

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
244

Story

5 out of 5 stars
242

Pema Chödrön's perennially best-selling classic on overcoming life's difficulties cuts to the heart of spirituality and personal growth, and makes for a perfect addition to one's spiritual library. Drawing from traditional Buddhist wisdom, she offers life-changing tools for transforming suffering and negative patterns into habitual ease and boundless joy.

Are you too nice? If you find it hard to be assertive, directly ask for what you want, or say "no" to others, then you just might be suffering from too much niceness. In this controversial book, world-renowned confidence expert, Dr. Aziz Gazipura, takes an incisive look at the concept of nice. Through his typical style, Dr. Aziz uses engaging stories, humor, and disarming vulnerability to cut through the nice conditioning and liberate the most bold, expressive, authentic version of you.

5 out of 5 stars

Better than excellent!

By
Le Magicien.
on
04-02-18

Respect for Acting, 2nd Edition

By:
Uta Hagen,
Haskel Frankel

Narrated by:
Angele Masters

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
138

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
122

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
121

For many years, she was asked to write a book. Finally she did, and here it is: an account of her own struggle with the techniques of acting and based on her teachings.
Respect for Acting is a book for people who respect (or wish they could) the theater on both sides of the footlights, for actors and audiences who favor truth in a creative process.

5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating, even for non actors like myself

By
Jason Comely
on
11-13-12

The Actor's Life

A Survival Guide

By:
Jenna Fischer

Narrated by:
Jenna Fischer,
Rainn Wilson

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
324

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
294

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
294

Jenna Fischer's Hollywood journey began at the age of 22 when she moved to Los Angeles from her hometown of St. Louis. She was determined, confident, and ready to work hard. So, what could go wrong? Uh, basically everything. The path to being a professional actor was so much more vast and competitive than she’d imagined. It would be eight long years before she landed her iconic role on The Office, nearly a decade of frustration, rejection, and doubt. If only she’d had a handbook for the aspiring actor. Or, better yet, someone to show her the way. Jenna wants to be that person for you.

5 out of 5 stars

OMG THE INTRO! lol

By
Katelyn
on
12-22-17

The Secrets of Story

Innovative Tools for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers

By:
Matt Bird

Narrated by:
Eric Michael Summerer

Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
410

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
368

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
358

The Secrets of Story is a revolutionary and comprehensive writing guide for the 21st century, focused on clever ways to get an audience to fully identify with an all-too-human hero. Authors will learn to how to cut through pop culture noise and win over a jaded modern audience by rediscovering the heart of writing: shaping stories that ring true to our shared understanding of human nature.

5 out of 5 stars

I want this guy to be my editor

By
Charley Dunn
on
01-09-17

Seven Days in the Art World

By:
Sarah Thornton

Narrated by:
Tavia Gilbert

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
212

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
188

Story

4 out of 5 stars
191

In a series of beautifully paced narratives, Sarah Thornton investigates the drama of a Christie's auction, the workings in Takashi Murakami's studios, the elite at the Basel Art Fair, the eccentricities of
Artforum magazine, the competition behind an important art prize, life in a notorious art-school seminar, and the wonderland of the Venice Biennale. She reveals the new dynamics of creativity, taste, status, money, and the search for meaning in life.

3 out of 5 stars

Good insight

By
heather
on
09-07-15

Hit Makers

The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction

By:
Derek Thompson

Narrated by:
Derek Thompson

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
921

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
832

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
832

Nothing "goes viral". If you think a popular movie, song, or app came out of nowhere to become a word-of-mouth success in today's crowded media environment, you're missing the real story. Each blockbuster has a secret history - of power, influence, dark broadcasters, and passionate cults that turn some new products into cultural phenomena. In his groundbreaking investigation,
Atlantic senior editor Derek Thompson uncovers the hidden psychology of why we like what we like.

4 out of 5 stars

A lot more interesting than I expected...

By
Mr
on
04-22-17

Creative Quest

By:
Questlove

Narrated by:
Questlove,
Fred Armisen,
Tariq Trotter,
and others

Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
91

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
82

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
81

In
Creative Quest, Questlove synthesizes all the creative philosophies, lessons, and stories he's heard from the many creators and collaborators in his life, and reflects on his own experience, to advise listeners and fans on how to consider creativity and where to find it. He addresses many topics - what it means to be creative, how to find a mentor and serve as an apprentice, the wisdom of maintaining a creative network, coping with critics and the foibles of success, and the specific pitfalls of contemporary culture.

5 out of 5 stars

Impressed!

By
KH
on
05-02-18

Dialogue

The Art of Verbal Action for Page, Stage, and Screen

By:
Robert McKee

Narrated by:
Robert McKee

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
317

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
283

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
278

In
Dialogue, Robert McKee offers in-depth analysis for how characters speak on the screen, on the stage, and on the page in believable and engaging ways. From
Macbeth to
Breaking Bad, McKee deconstructs key scenes to illustrate the strategies and techniques of dialogue.
Dialogue applies a framework of incisive thinking to instruct the prospective writer on how to craft artful, impactful speech.

5 out of 5 stars

The Class you Wish you took in Writing

By
Josiah
on
12-05-16

Men, Women and Worthiness

The Experience of Shame and the Power of Being Enough

By:
Brené Brown PhD

Narrated by:
Brené Brown PhD

Length: 2 hrs and 14 mins

Original Recording

Overall

5 out of 5 stars
2,817

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
2,440

Story

5 out of 5 stars
2,405

What does it take to be secure in our sense of belonging and self-worth? We may hustle to attain this security through achievements, meeting expectations, or repeating affirmations to ourselves - but Dr. Brené Brown's research has shown there is ultimately one obstacle to our sense of worthiness. “Shame is the barrier,” she teaches, “and building shame resilience is how we overcome it.”

3 out of 5 stars

good stuff, but...

By
Richard K Patton
on
05-24-16

Word by Word

By:
Anne Lamott

Narrated by:
Anne Lamott

Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins

Original Recording

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
201

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
127

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
127

Writing, like life, can be a difficult process, you just have to take it
Word by Word. Provocative and witty, Lamott takes you beyond her book
Bird by Bird and into her "writer's mind".

5 out of 5 stars

Good motivational speaker

By
Ranch Girl
on
08-01-04

Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)

Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions and Hurtful Acts

By:
Carol Tavris,
Elliot Aronson

Narrated by:
Marsha Mercant,
Joe Barrett

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
1,632

Performance

4 out of 5 stars
1,301

Story

4 out of 5 stars
1,299

Why do people dodge responsibility when things fall apart? Why the parade of public figures unable to own up when they screw up? Why the endless marital quarrels over who is right? Why can we see hypocrisy in others but not in ourselves? Are we all liars? Or do we really believe the stories we tell? Backed by years of research and delivered in lively, energetic prose,
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) offers a fascinating explanation of self-deception.

4 out of 5 stars

Excellent insights, but a little too long

By
Anand
on
11-11-12

This Is Just My Face

Try Not to Stare

By:
Gabourey Sidibe

Narrated by:
Gabourey Sidibe

Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,902

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
1,745

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,742

Gabourey Sidibe - "Gabby" to her legion of fans - skyrocketed to international fame in 2009 when she played the leading role in Lee Daniels' acclaimed movie
Precious. In
This Is Just My Face, she shares a one-of-a-kind life story in a voice as fresh and challenging as many of the unique characters she's played onscreen. With full-throttle honesty, Sidibe paints her Bed-Stuy/Harlem family life with a polygamous father and a gifted mother who supports her two children by singing in the subway.

5 out of 5 stars

Honest, heart wrenching, and hilarious!

By
CleverLewis
on
05-16-17

My Own Words

By:
Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
Mary Hartnett,
Wendy W. Williams

Narrated by:
Linda Lavin

Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
393

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
350

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
352

The first book from Ruth Bader Ginsburg since becoming a Supreme Court Justice in 1993 - a witty, engaging, serious, and playful collection of writings and speeches from the woman who has had a powerful and enduring influence on law, women's rights, and popular culture.
My Own Words is a selection of writings and speeches by Justice Ginsburg on wide-ranging topics, including gender equality, the workways of the Supreme Court, being Jewish, law and lawyers in opera, and more.

4 out of 5 stars

Contains Actual Audio Clips!

By
Allison Flanagan
on
01-04-18

Your Inner Critic Is a Big Jerk

And Other Truths About Being Creative

By:
Danielle Krysa

Narrated by:
Danielle Krysa

Length: 2 hrs and 43 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4 out of 5 stars
450

Performance

4.5 out of 5 stars
412

Story

4 out of 5 stars
409

This book is duct tape for the mouth of every artist's inner critic. Silencing that stifling voice once and for all, this salve for creatives introduces 10 truths they must face in order to defeat self-doubt. Each encouraging chapter deconstructs a pivotal moment on the path to success - fear of the blank page, the dangers of jealousy, sharing work with others - and explains how to navigate roadblock.

4 out of 5 stars

A Lot Covered In Less Than 3 Hours But--

By
Gillian
on
04-10-18

Walk Through Walls

A Memoir

By:
Marina Abramovic

Narrated by:
Marina Abramovic

Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins

Unabridged

Overall

4.5 out of 5 stars
195

Performance

5 out of 5 stars
182

Story

4.5 out of 5 stars
181

In 2010 more than 750,000 people stood in line at Marina Abramović's MoMA retrospective for the chance to sit across from her and communicate with her nonverbally in an unprecedented durational performance that lasted more than 700 hours. This celebration of nearly 50 years of groundbreaking performance art demonstrated once again that Marina Abramović is truly a force of nature.

5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating read

By
V. Ledovsky
on
11-20-16

Publisher's Summary

From "the most exciting individual in American theater" (
Newsweek), here is Anna Deavere Smith's brass-tacks advice to aspiring artists of all stripes. In the manner of Rilke's
Letters to a Young Poet, Deavere Smith mentors her young artist over a period of five years, sharing her hard-won wisdom about the challenges and rewards of the artistic life.

Drawing on her own life experiences as an actor, teacher, and playwright, Deavere Smith provides a motivating example for how to pursue one's art without compromise, while offering tips on everything from how to stay healthy to building a diverse network of friends and professional alliances. Honest, passionate, and inspiring, this audiobook has life-changing potential.

Critic Reviews

Audie Award Finalist, Personal Development, Motivational, 2007

"With a pithiness that wards away the preachy, Smith succeeds in conveying the pain, the joy, and the effort that characterize a life on the stage and in the world." (Publishers Weekly) "Smith is generous, vulnerable, and perceptive. Readers of all disciplines will come away from these pages feeling opened, nurtured, and eager to follow Smith's call to action." (Booklist)

Heartening and a joy!

What made the experience of listening to Letters to a Young Artist the most enjoyable?

ADS has a warmth in her voice and delivery that makes the advice and recollections feel as though they are being delivered by a trusted family member. Like a gentle hand on your knee, reassuring your progress and path in authenticity.

Who was your favorite character and why?

As this was not a fiction piece, Anna Deavere Smith was my favorite character.

Which character – as performed by Anna Deavere Smith – was your favorite?

She did some characterizations but her recollections as herself were my favorite.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I wouldn't think an extreme reaction would come from this content, but it did make me contemplative.

Any additional comments?

I would love to meet the author and discuss art and creativity even more because of this book.

Fantastic!!

I HAVE already listed to it again and will continue to keep it as a reminder of the principles I strive to up hold as an artist in this time of amazing change.

What other book might you compare Letters to a Young Artist to and why?

Perhaps Dale Carnegie's "How to win friends and influence people" but in a creative sort of way. This book is not only a wonderful guide for the creative individual who's just trying to put a plan into perspective which is a very intense and complicated thing to do with creativity. (the flux of the unknown) It's also a guide to becoming a better human being. Being an artist is about taking responsibility of an amazing gift. It is not an excuse to avoid responsibility in any way shape or form because of the beautiful uninhibited, unpredictable, and out of this world influence that artists are sometimes afraid to loose with scary words such as presence and timeliness as well as many others that Anna Deavere Smith tackles like pro linebacker at the Superbowl. Bravo, Ms. Smith. I work full time as a professional artist and hung on every word with a smile and a wow. Thank you for sharing this creative wisdom.

Which character – as performed by Anna Deavere Smith – was your favorite?

Herself.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just smile.

Any additional comments?

This book is a great book for any creative venture. Whether creative bookkeeping or building a sculptural mind maze for the long trip through the worm hole to Mars... It's a guide, and a sweet invitation into what great things we can accomplish with principals to keep us intact, giving art and creativity a purpose of greatness as well as an open path.